My Mummy Moment.

I am so thrilled. 11 year old son came second in his backstroke race at the school swimming carnival and 8 year old daughter came first in hers.....

But, the best part was how they cheered for each other, walked each other up to the recorder's table and were thrilled for one another.

Today is a good day!

Pudding was Requested.

...and made our Sunday roast dinner extra special. The recipe can be found here.

Community Fire Drill Practice.

Our Community Fire Unit have had practice drills about once a month, nice and early. We are very thankful for all the equipment that the NSW Fire Brigade have given to us.

Bits of Colour at Afternoon Tea Time.

Inspirational.

Ann's blog has some inspirational thoughts on the following.

Prayer.

Gratitude.

Preparing our families for Easter.

Industrial.

Grandpa gave us this computer stand so that many cakes can cool at once!

Alternative Transport.

No car available here today, so husband E was the transporter. He took 5 year old daughter to school as she does not have a bus pass yet. The older two caught the bus. Husband E saw another wagon/bike just like this one, also going to school.

Quiet Reading..

.........just before bedtime.

Chicken Recipes.

Lynda from Tanzania has posted a delicious and simple recipe for chicken.

Here is another recipe posted in the Sydney Morning Herald this week, called "Honeymoon Chicken". Perhaps it is meant for Valentines' Day?

Honeymoon Chicken:

Chicken pieces
Juice of 1 lemon
3T olive oil
3T honey
1/2 cup rosé or white wine
2 cloves garlic, peeled and bruised
thyme

Put chicken with all of the above in a baking dish. Toss well to coat. Marinate skin side down for 30min or overnight if possible. Turn chicken skin side up and roast at 200 degrees for 50 min. or till the thickest part of the chicken is cooked.

Last Weekend.

....on the deck.

Give a boy a 'ramp' and something with wheels...

Panforte and Chocolate Orange Rind.

Almond Panforte
1 cup glace orange bits
2 1/2 cups slivered almonds
1/2 cup almond meal
2 T cocoa
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1t mixed spice
1/4 honey
1/3 caster sugar

Preheat oven 150 degrees. Line 20cm baking pan (I used a square).

Mix glace orange, almonds and sift almonds, cocoa and spices over it. Stir to combine.

In a pot, put honey and sugar over a low heat and stir to dissolve. Continue to cook without stirring until it forms a soft ball when a little mixture is dropped into a glass of cold water.

Pour over dry ingredients and stir to mix well. Transfer mixture to a tin. Press down and flatten surface. Bake for 25 min. Cool completely in the tin. The cake will firm up as it cools.

Recipe from "Lucky" almonds.

I had some leftover glace orange, so I melted some good quality dark chocolate, mixed in some of the orange and then spooned out little mounds. I let it set. Husband E's favourite.

Idea courtesy of a good "Mummy Escape" companion.

All Ready for Friday.

This morning I had to have:

bag with wallet/phone etc.

bag with activities for 3 year old daughter whilst at speech pathology with 5 year old

bag with Bible, lunch/m.tea for 3 year old.

This is what that looks like. These bags are going to remain somewhat packed and ready. The morning was really lovely actually.

Mirage.

A vision this morning, an 8 year old's folded pyjamas on her bed.

A Fairy on My Lap.

One little one home with me today, no preschool today.

Third Child at Big School.

Our third daughter is off to big school today. We were so pleased that she had had a great day; protective siblings, the comfort of a lovely buddy and special attention from her new teacher.

This was our first child free weekday in 11 years. Small jobs done quickly, coffee and reading, lots of emails for our Community Fire Unit and general tidying up. Smoked trout and salad with dark bread for lunch and organic orange chocolate from the groovy aunt.

We do it all again tomorrow!